Sample questions
Project Management Professional PMP practice questions
A project manager is leading a digital transformation initiative. Midway through the project, a new regulation is introduced that affects the product's compliance requirements. The project sponsor is concerned about potential scope creep and delays. What should the project manager do first?
Trap 1: Escalate the issue to the project sponsor for direction
Escalation should occur after analysis and with recommended options.
Trap 2: Update the risk register with the new regulation as a threat
While important, the first step is to assess the impact.
Trap 3: Submit a change request to modify the project scope
A change request should come after impact analysis and evaluation.
- A
Escalate the issue to the project sponsor for direction
Why wrong: Escalation should occur after analysis and with recommended options.
- B
Update the risk register with the new regulation as a threat
Why wrong: While important, the first step is to assess the impact.
- C
Submit a change request to modify the project scope
Why wrong: A change request should come after impact analysis and evaluation.
- D
Conduct an impact analysis of the regulation on the project
Impact analysis is the first step to understand the effects before taking action.
Order the steps for closing a project or phase.
Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.
Sequence the steps for performing a qualitative risk analysis.
Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.
Arrange the steps for controlling project changes.
Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.
Order the steps for performing project quality assurance.
Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.
Order the steps for creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.
Order the steps for developing a project schedule.
Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.
A project has a critical path of 120 days with a standard deviation of 5 days. The project sponsor wants to know the probability of completing the project within 130 days. Using the normal distribution, what is the approximate probability?
Trap 1: 95%
95% is the probability within 2 standard deviations of the mean (both sides).
Trap 2: 84%
84% corresponds to 1 standard deviation above the mean.
Trap 3: 68%
68% is the probability within 1 standard deviation of the mean.
- A
97.5%
97.5% is the probability of completing at or below 2 standard deviations above the mean.
- B
95%
Why wrong: 95% is the probability within 2 standard deviations of the mean (both sides).
- C
84%
Why wrong: 84% corresponds to 1 standard deviation above the mean.
- D
68%
Why wrong: 68% is the probability within 1 standard deviation of the mean.
A project manager is using earned value management. At month 6 of a 12-month project, the EV is $50,000, PV is $60,000, and AC is $55,000. What is the cost performance index (CPI)?
Trap 1: 0.83
0.83 is SPI (EV/PV), not CPI.
Trap 2: 1.20
1.20 is AC/PV = 55,000/60,000.
Trap 3: 1.10
1.10 is the reciprocal of CPI (AC/EV).
- A
0.83
Why wrong: 0.83 is SPI (EV/PV), not CPI.
- B
1.20
Why wrong: 1.20 is AC/PV = 55,000/60,000.
- C
0.91
CPI = EV/AC = 50,000/55,000 = 0.909 ≈ 0.91.
- D
1.10
Why wrong: 1.10 is the reciprocal of CPI (AC/EV).
Which TWO are inputs to the Control Schedule process? (Choose two.)
Trap 1: Schedule data
Schedule data is an output of Control Schedule, not an input.
Trap 2: Organizational process assets
OPAs are inputs to Develop Schedule but not listed as inputs to Control Schedule.
Trap 3: Schedule forecasts
Schedule forecasts are an output of Control Schedule.
- A
Schedule data
Why wrong: Schedule data is an output of Control Schedule, not an input.
- B
Project management plan
The schedule management plan is a component of the project management plan and is an input to Control Schedule.
- C
Work performance data
Work performance data provides actual start/finish dates and is an input to Control Schedule.
- D
Organizational process assets
Why wrong: OPAs are inputs to Develop Schedule but not listed as inputs to Control Schedule.
- E
Schedule forecasts
Why wrong: Schedule forecasts are an output of Control Schedule.
Which THREE are tools and techniques used in the Plan Risk Management process? (Choose three.)
Trap 1: Probability and impact matrix
The probability and impact matrix is used in Qualitative Risk Analysis.
Trap 2: Risk categorization
Risk categorization is a tool for Qualitative Risk Analysis, not Plan Risk Management.
- A
Probability and impact matrix
Why wrong: The probability and impact matrix is used in Qualitative Risk Analysis.
- B
Meetings
Meetings with stakeholders to plan risk management activities.
- C
Risk categorization
Why wrong: Risk categorization is a tool for Qualitative Risk Analysis, not Plan Risk Management.
- D
Analytical techniques
Analytical techniques such as stakeholder analysis are used to plan risk management.
- E
Expert judgment
Expert judgment is used to tailor the risk management plan.
A project manager is reviewing the schedule performance index (SPI) and cost performance index (CPI). The current values are SPI = 0.85 and CPI = 1.10. What is the most likely conclusion about the project?
Trap 1: The project is behind schedule and over budget.
CPI > 1 means under budget, not over.
Trap 2: The project is ahead of schedule and over budget.
SPI < 1 means behind schedule, not ahead.
Trap 3: The project is ahead of schedule and under budget.
SPI < 1 means behind schedule.
- A
The project is behind schedule and over budget.
Why wrong: CPI > 1 means under budget, not over.
- B
The project is behind schedule and under budget.
SPI < 1 (behind schedule), CPI > 1 (under budget).
- C
The project is ahead of schedule and over budget.
Why wrong: SPI < 1 means behind schedule, not ahead.
- D
The project is ahead of schedule and under budget.
Why wrong: SPI < 1 means behind schedule.
During project execution, a key stakeholder requests a change that will increase the scope. The project manager follows the formal change control process. What is the first step the project manager should take?
Trap 1: Communicate the change to the project team.
Communication to team occurs after approval.
Trap 2: Submit the change request to the change control board (CCB).
Submitting to CCB occurs after impact analysis.
Trap 3: Analyze the impact on the project constraints.
Impact analysis is done after the change request is documented.
- A
Communicate the change to the project team.
Why wrong: Communication to team occurs after approval.
- B
Submit the change request to the change control board (CCB).
Why wrong: Submitting to CCB occurs after impact analysis.
- C
Document the change request in the change log.
The first step is to formally document the change request.
- D
Analyze the impact on the project constraints.
Why wrong: Impact analysis is done after the change request is documented.
Refer to the exhibit. The project's S3 bucket policy allows read access only from the internal IP range (10.0.0.0/8) and denies access if not using HTTPS. A developer reports that they can access the bucket from a machine with IP 10.0.0.5 using HTTPS. However, they cannot access it from a machine with IP 10.0.0.6 using HTTP. What is the most likely reason?
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
{
"Version": "2012-10-17",
"Statement": [
{
"Effect": "Allow",
"Action": ["s3:GetObject"],
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*",
"Condition": {
"IpAddress": {
"aws:SourceIp": "10.0.0.0/8"
}
}
},
{
"Effect": "Deny",
"Action": "s3:*",
"Resource": "arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*",
"Condition": {
"Bool": {
"aws:SecureTransport": "false"
}
}
}
]
}
```Trap 1: The policy requires both IP and HTTPS conditions to be met…
The Allow requires IP, but the Deny is separate and blocks HTTP regardless.
Trap 2: The IP address 10.0.0.5 is not in the allowed range.
10.0.0.5 is within 10.0.0.0/8.
Trap 3: The IP address 10.0.0.6 is not in the allowed range.
10.0.0.6 is within 10.0.0.0/8.
- A
The Deny statement for HTTP overrides the Allow statement.
Explicit Deny prevents access when SecureTransport is false.
- B
The policy requires both IP and HTTPS conditions to be met simultaneously.
Why wrong: The Allow requires IP, but the Deny is separate and blocks HTTP regardless.
- C
The IP address 10.0.0.5 is not in the allowed range.
Why wrong: 10.0.0.5 is within 10.0.0.0/8.
- D
The IP address 10.0.0.6 is not in the allowed range.
Why wrong: 10.0.0.6 is within 10.0.0.0/8.
Which TWO are key components of a project management plan? (Choose two.)
Trap 1: Stakeholder register
Project document, not PMP component.
Trap 2: Project charter
Authorizes the project, not part of PMP.
Trap 3: Work performance data
Output of Direct and Manage Project Work.
- A
Stakeholder register
Why wrong: Project document, not PMP component.
- B
Project charter
Why wrong: Authorizes the project, not part of PMP.
- C
Work performance data
Why wrong: Output of Direct and Manage Project Work.
- D
Scope management plan
Part of the project management plan.
- E
Schedule management plan
Part of the project management plan.
A project team is developing a new software feature. During a sprint review, the product owner requests a change that would increase the scope significantly. The team has already committed to the current sprint backlog. What is the BEST course of action for the project manager?
Trap 1: Add the change to the current sprint to satisfy the product owner.
Adding work mid-sprint violates the sprint commitment and can cause delays.
Trap 2: Proceed with the change but extend the sprint duration.
Extending sprints undermines agile principles; changes should be handled through backlog prioritization.
Trap 3: Ignore the request until the next project phase.
Ignoring stakeholder input is poor practice; changes should be evaluated.
- A
Add the change to the current sprint to satisfy the product owner.
Why wrong: Adding work mid-sprint violates the sprint commitment and can cause delays.
- B
Ask the product owner to prioritize the change and add it to the product backlog for a future sprint.
This allows the team to finish the current sprint and evaluate the change properly.
- C
Proceed with the change but extend the sprint duration.
Why wrong: Extending sprints undermines agile principles; changes should be handled through backlog prioritization.
- D
Ignore the request until the next project phase.
Why wrong: Ignoring stakeholder input is poor practice; changes should be evaluated.
A project manager notices that the project's cost performance index (CPI) is 0.8 and the schedule performance index (SPI) is 1.1. What is the MOST likely cause of this situation?
Trap 1: The project is ahead of schedule and under budget.
CPI < 1 means over budget, not under.
Trap 2: The project is behind schedule and over budget.
SPI > 1 means ahead of schedule.
Trap 3: The project is behind schedule and under budget.
SPI > 1 means ahead of schedule, not behind.
- A
The project is ahead of schedule and under budget.
Why wrong: CPI < 1 means over budget, not under.
- B
The project is behind schedule and over budget.
Why wrong: SPI > 1 means ahead of schedule.
- C
The project is ahead of schedule but over budget, possibly due to crashing.
Crashing adds cost to gain time, explaining the indices.
- D
The project is behind schedule and under budget.
Why wrong: SPI > 1 means ahead of schedule, not behind.
A project is in the planning phase. The team has identified 50 risks. The project manager wants to prioritize risks for further analysis. Which tool or technique is BEST suited for this?
Trap 1: Risk register
The risk register is a document that lists risks, not a prioritization tool.
Trap 2: SWOT analysis
SWOT is used to identify risks, not prioritize them.
Trap 3: Decision tree analysis
Decision tree evaluates options under uncertainty, not prioritization of risks.
- A
Risk register
Why wrong: The risk register is a document that lists risks, not a prioritization tool.
- B
SWOT analysis
Why wrong: SWOT is used to identify risks, not prioritize them.
- C
Decision tree analysis
Why wrong: Decision tree evaluates options under uncertainty, not prioritization of risks.
- D
Probability and impact matrix
It ranks risks based on their likelihood and consequences.
Which THREE of the following are common causes of project change requests?
Trap 1: Team member vacation
Vacations are planned and do not typically result in change requests.
Trap 2: Budget surplus
A surplus may allow changes but is not a direct cause.
- A
Regulatory changes
New regulations may require changes to project deliverables.
- B
Team member vacation
Why wrong: Vacations are planned and do not typically result in change requests.
- C
Budget surplus
Why wrong: A surplus may allow changes but is not a direct cause.
- D
Scope creep
Uncontrolled additions to scope often trigger change requests.
- E
Stakeholder feedback
Stakeholder input often leads to change requests.
A project is in the planning phase. The project manager wants to ensure that all stakeholders have a common understanding of the project scope. Which document should be used as the primary reference?
Trap 1: Project charter
The charter authorizes the project but does not detail scope.
Trap 2: Work breakdown structure
The WBS is a hierarchical decomposition, not a scope description.
Trap 3: Schedule management plan
It describes how the schedule will be managed, not scope.
- A
Project charter
Why wrong: The charter authorizes the project but does not detail scope.
- B
Work breakdown structure
Why wrong: The WBS is a hierarchical decomposition, not a scope description.
- C
Schedule management plan
Why wrong: It describes how the schedule will be managed, not scope.
- D
Project scope statement
It provides a detailed description of the project scope.
During a project, the team identifies a risk that could cause a major delay. The probability is high and the impact is high. The project manager decides to hire an external expert to manage the risk. Which risk response strategy is being used?
Trap 1: Mitigate
Mitigation reduces probability or impact, not transfers.
Trap 2: Accept
Acceptance means acknowledging the risk without action.
Trap 3: Avoid
Avoidance eliminates the risk entirely.
- A
Mitigate
Why wrong: Mitigation reduces probability or impact, not transfers.
- B
Accept
Why wrong: Acceptance means acknowledging the risk without action.
- C
Avoid
Why wrong: Avoidance eliminates the risk entirely.
- D
Transfer
Transfer shifts ownership of the risk to another party.
A project manager is managing a construction project and notices that the actual cost for concrete work is consistently 15% above budget. The earned value (EV) is $100,000, and the actual cost (AC) is $115,000. The project manager wants to estimate the cost at completion (EAC) if this trend continues. Which formula should the project manager use?
Trap 1: EAC = AC + Bottom-up ETC
This is used when the original estimate is no longer valid and a new estimate is needed for remaining work.
Trap 2: EAC = AC + (BAC - EV)
This formula is used when the remaining work will be done at the planned rate, not when the cost variance is expected to continue.
Trap 3: EAC = BAC / (CPI * SPI)
This formula considers both cost and schedule performance, but the question only indicates a cost trend, not schedule.
- A
EAC = AC + Bottom-up ETC
Why wrong: This is used when the original estimate is no longer valid and a new estimate is needed for remaining work.
- B
EAC = AC + (BAC - EV)
Why wrong: This formula is used when the remaining work will be done at the planned rate, not when the cost variance is expected to continue.
- C
EAC = BAC / CPI
This formula assumes the current cost performance will continue, which is appropriate given the consistent 15% overrun.
- D
EAC = BAC / (CPI * SPI)
Why wrong: This formula considers both cost and schedule performance, but the question only indicates a cost trend, not schedule.
A project manager is developing the project schedule and wants to determine the critical path. The activity network diagram shows multiple paths. Which technique should the project manager use?
Trap 1: Resource leveling
Resource leveling resolves resource over-allocation, not for determining critical path.
Trap 2: Gantt chart
A Gantt chart shows activities over time but does not mathematically determine the critical path.
Trap 3: Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
PERT is used for estimating durations with uncertainty, not for critical path identification.
- A
Resource leveling
Why wrong: Resource leveling resolves resource over-allocation, not for determining critical path.
- B
Gantt chart
Why wrong: A Gantt chart shows activities over time but does not mathematically determine the critical path.
- C
Critical Path Method (CPM)
CPM calculates the longest path and identifies critical activities.
- D
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
Why wrong: PERT is used for estimating durations with uncertainty, not for critical path identification.
A project team is in the performing stage of development. The project manager is leaving for a two-week vacation. What is the best way to ensure the team remains productive?
Trap 1: Appoint a temporary project manager to oversee the team.
The team is capable of self-management; a new manager may reduce efficiency.
Trap 2: Ask the team to pause all non-urgent decisions until your return.
May cause unnecessary delays and reduce team autonomy.
Trap 3: Schedule daily status calls to monitor progress.
Too intrusive and may undermine team's self-sufficiency.
- A
Appoint a temporary project manager to oversee the team.
Why wrong: The team is capable of self-management; a new manager may reduce efficiency.
- B
Ask the team to pause all non-urgent decisions until your return.
Why wrong: May cause unnecessary delays and reduce team autonomy.
- C
Schedule daily status calls to monitor progress.
Why wrong: Too intrusive and may undermine team's self-sufficiency.
- D
Empower the team to make decisions within agreed boundaries and check in periodically.
Leverages the performing stage's maturity and maintains productivity.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.